Tamara Webb is a Director within the Office of University Affairs where she is part of the University Design Institute Global Solutions team. Dr. Webb is tasked with building and advancing thought leadership networks and products focused on catalyzing transformation in higher education. Formerly, she held the role of Director, International Education in the Center for Advanced Studies in Global Education (CASGE) at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College(MLFTC). In that role, she served as the Director for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU and was tasked with developing and supporting new international engagement initiatives. Before joining MLFTC, Tamara served as Assistant Director of the Global Freshman Academy and Open Scale Courseware at EdPlus and as a University Innovation Fellow through the Office of University Initiatives.
She brings to ASU nearly twenty years of varied experience supporting college entry and matriculation of historically-underrepresented groups in higher education both domestically and abroad. Her work includes substantial professional investments with federally-funded TRIO programs in the U.S., of which she is also a proud alumna. In addition, she is an experienced qualitative researcher and educator with a special interest in maximizing effectiveness and mutual benefit in service-learning, study abroad, and foreign aid projects.
Dr. Webb has experience at the federal government level, serving as a program specialist for Peace Corps Headquarters and as a research analyst at the Corporation for National and Community Service, both based in Washington, DC. Her non-profit and foundation portfolio includes project management and leadership roles with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Bonner Foundation, Volunteers of America, and Communities in Schools. Tamara's teaching experience includes work as an instructor with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, the Northwestern University Civic Leadership Institute, and the University of Namibia; and as a teaching assistant in the Department of International and Comparative Education at Teachers College Columbia University. In the past 10 years, she has also served as an external consultant for FHI 360, Results for Development Institute, the College Board, and the Namibia Ministry of Education.
Dr. Webb earned her EdD in International Educational Development and Policy and an MA in Anthropology and Education from Columbia University's Teachers College. She also holds a Masters in Public Administration from the Baruch College school of Public and International affairs, and a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Cornell University, Dr. Webb has conducted research on education policy, digital learning, transformational leadership, volunteering, and teacher training in the U.S.A., Belize, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Globalization and Education; Inclusive Education; Cultural Context of Education; Youth Development & Education; African Diaspora
Publications
Webb, T. & Jayaram, S. (November 2016). Background paper for the Education Commission (The International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity). Books for all children: A rapid analysis of the political economy around textbook publishing. co-led study published by Results for Development.
Webb, T. (2013). “Classroom Discourse.” In Bartlett, L. & Vavrus, F. (eds). Teaching in Tension. International Pedagogies, National Policies, and Teachers’ Practices in Tanzania. (pp.149-168). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Webb, T. (2011, Feb. 25). Critical Thinking Case Study #1: Namibia. In Vavrus, F. & Bartlett, L. with Kauna, Z., Thomas, M. and Webb, T. Reconceptualizing Critical Thinking in Educational Policy and Practice: A Report Prepared for the Open Society Foundation.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND TALKS
Conference Presentations
Webb, T. (October 2012). Poster Presentation. A comparative study of foreign teaching volunteers from the global North and South in Namibia’s secondary schools. Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Southern Africa Comparative and History of Education Society (SACHES) Conference.
Webb, T. (March 2012). A local problem plus a foreign solution equals: An exploration of math curriculum borrowing in Namibia. Boston, Massachusetts: Boston University Graduate Student Conference in African Studies.
Webb, T. (December 2011). External Assistance and Internal Policies: The Case of Math Education Reform in Namibia. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Graduate School of Education International Education Development Workshop.
Bartlett, L. & Webb, T. (June 2011). Teachers’ Understanding of Learner-Centered Pedagogies. Moshi, Tanzania: Education Quality and Research in Northern Tanzania Conference.
Invited Talks/Workshops
Presenter. (2013). Choosing the Right College. EducationUSA College Fair. Abuja, Nigeria: American International School.
Panelist. (2012). Preparing the MPA Capstone. San Juan, Puerto Rico: National Urban Fellows Annual Leadership Conference.
Session Chairperson. (October 2012). Gender and Cultural Issues. Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Southern Africa Comparative and History of Education Society (SACHES) Conference.
Webb, T. & Ngarina, D. (2011). Internet Literacy for Teachers. Arusha, Tanzania: Peace House Secondary School.
Opening Speaker. (2005). RPCV Federal Careers Conference. Peace Corps Headquarters: Washington, DC.